Kafelnikov, a two-time grand slam winner, reached the semifinals of a tournament for the first time since April.

Kavelnikov had nine double faults and wasted a 5-3 lead in the first set. He took control with a break to take a 5-3 lead in the second set, then broke Ulihrach's serve twice to start the final set and won in 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Kafelnikov, a past Australian and French Open winner, won the Gerry Weber in 1997 and 1998. He last reached a semifinal at Marseille.